Feds say they're targeting violent crime in San Antonio, Austin – San Antonio Express-News

Feds say they’re targeting violent crime in San Antonio, Austin  San Antonio Express-News

Federal officials say they have ramped up their efforts to prosecute violent criminals in the San Antonio and Austin metro areas, with a goal of putting "the worst of the worst" behind bars. Justin Simmons, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, said Friday that he has instructed all assistant U.S. attorneys in the region to work closely with district attorneys in San Antonio and Austin to target violent criminals who "who are ripe for federal charges." "I tasked them with getting (violent criminals) off the street and keeping them off the street, because the reality is that a very small percentage of violent criminals have a disproportionate effect on the peace-loving people of San Antonio," Simmons said.

"We cannot let that stand." Simmons said multiple federal agencies — including the ATF, ICE and the Drug Enforcement Administration — are working closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies. Those efforts have led to the arrests and prosecutions of three dozen people, many of them involved with violent and gun-related crimes, Simmons said. Simmons mentioned the cases against Emmanuel Frank Villarreal and Norberto Xavier Palomo, both of whom have pleaded guilty to gun-related charges and are to be sentenced before the end of the year. In April, Villarreal fled from San Antonio police and